Gripper with parts ejector system

ABSTRACT

A robotic tool picks and places a clinging part in an assembly. Two gripper jaws each have gripper fingers spaced apart from each other by a central spacing. The gripper jaws are movable between a grip position and a release position. The robotic tool also has an ejector. The ejector has a part pusher that is cling resistant and movable in the central spacings between a retracted position, and an eject position in which the cling resistant part pusher ejects the clinging part.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority benefits from U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/350,798 titled “Gripper with Parts Ejector System,”filed Jan. 22, 2002 and identified as Docket Number STL 10652.01.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to methods and robotic tools forautomatic assembly. In particular, the present invention relates topicking and placing a recirculation filter in a magnetic storage drive.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recirculation filters used in disc drives are typically formed of fibersthat are permanently electrostatically charged to attract and hold smallparticles. Recirculation filters tend to cling to fingers, tools andother objects used in assembling disc drives. The clinging tends to makeit difficult to insert the recirculation filters in slots in a discdrive assembly without inadvertently misplacing the filters which tendto cling to and follow fingers or tools as they are withdrawn afterinsertion. There is a desire to automate the insertion of recirculationfilters and other clinging parts, however, this is difficult to doreliably because of the possibility of misplacement of the filter.

A method and apparatus are needed to automatically pick and place aclinging part such as a recirculation filter in a reliable manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a robotic tool and a method of using a robotic tool to pickand place a clinging part in an assembly. The robotic tool includesfirst and second gripper jaws. Each gripper jaw includes gripper fingersspaced apart from each other by a central spacing. The gripper jaws aremovable between a grip position in which the gripper jaws grip theclinging part and a release position in which the gripper jaws releaseand retract from the clinging part.

The robotic tool also includes an ejector. The ejector has a part pusherthat is cling resistant and movable in the central spacings between aretracted position in which the part pusher is retracted, and an ejectposition in which the part pusher ejects the clinging part.

These and various other features as well as advantages that characterizethe present invention will be apparent upon reading of the followingdetailed description and review of the associated drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top isometric view of a PRIOR ART disc drive.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a robotic tool gripping a recirculationfilter for a disc drive.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a close up view of a robotic toolgripping a recirculation filter.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a close up view of an ejector in aretracted position.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a close up view of an ejector in aneject position.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a view of an alternative embodiment ofan ejector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the embodiments described below, a method and robotic tool forpicking and placing a clinging part are disclosed. Recirculation filtersused in disc drives are made of electrostatically charged fibers andtend to cling to fingers, tools or other objects due to electrostaticattraction. The clinging makes the parts difficult to insert usingautomatic insertion equipment because the part has a tendency to clingto tools as the tools are retracted after the part is inserted in anassembly. In the embodiments described below in FIGS. 2–6, automaticinsertion is achieved using a robotic tool that includes gripper jawsfor grasping and placing the part in an assembly, and also an ejectorthat includes a cling resistant part pusher that holds the part in placeas the gripper jaws are retracted. The part pusher, which is shaped andpositioned to resist clinging to the part, can then be retracted withoutdisturbing the position of the part in the assembly.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a PRIOR ART disc drive 100 includinga slider or head 110 that includes one or more read/write transducers.Disc drive 100 includes a disc pack 126 having storage media surfaces(disc surfaces) 106 that are typically layers of magnetic material. Thedisc pack 126 includes a stack of multiple discs. A head assembly 112includes the head 110 with a read/write transducer for each stackeddisc. Disc pack 126 is spun or rotated as shown by arrow 107 to allowhead assembly 112 to access different rotational locations for data onthe storage surfaces 106 on the disc pack 126.

The head assembly 112 is actuated to move radially, relative to the discpack 126, as shown by arrow 122 to access different radial locations fordata on the disc surfaces 106 of disc pack 126. Typically, the actuationof the head assembly 112 is provided by a voice coil motor 118. Voicecoil motor 118 includes a rotor 116 that pivots on axle 120 and an armor beam 114 that actuates the head assembly 112. The head assembly 112presses down on a central gimbal point on the head 110, providing a loadforce that holds the head 110 in close proximity to the storage surface106. One or more read/write transducers are deposited on the head 110and fly above the disc surface 106 at a fly height. A circuit atlocation 130 provides an electric current to the voice coil motor 118 tocontrol the radial position of the head 110 and electrically interfacesread/write transducers on heads 110 with a computing environment.

The disc drive 100 also includes a recirculation filter 124. Therecirculation filter typically comprises polypropylene fibers containedin an outer scrim made of layers of spun or extruded polypropylene,polyester or polyethylene. The recirculation filter is typicallysponge-like, flexible and permanently electrostatically charged. Therecirculation filter 124 is manually picked up and placed or inserted inmounting slots 126, 128 in the disc drive 100. The recirculation filter124 is a part that tends to cling to fingers, tools or other objectsthat come in contact with it due to either electrostatic attraction,snagging of fibers, or a combination of both. Because of its clingingcharacteristics, the recirculation filter 124 has typically beeninserted in slots 126, 128 using manual methods to ensure that it is notinadvertently partially withdrawn after insertion by clinging to anoperator's hand or tool. There is a desire to automate the picking andplacing of clinging parts such as recirculation filter 124 in order toimplement factory of future (FOF) robotic techniques on an automaticproduction line.

As described below in connection with FIGS. 2–5, a method and robotictool are disclosed for picking and placing clinging parts such asrecirculation filter 124 in a disc drive on an automatic productionline.

FIGS. 2–5 schematically illustrates a robotic tool 140 gripping aclinging part 142, such as a recirculation filter, and inserting theclinging part 142 in an assembly 144, such as a disc drive. The robotictool 140 operates on an automated assembly line and picks up andautomatically places the clinging part 142.

The robotic tool 140 comprises first and second gripper jaws 146, 148.Each gripper jaw 146, 148 includes opposing gripper fingers 150, 152,151, 153 spaced apart from each other by a central spacing 154, 155. Thegripper jaws 146, 148 are movable between a grip position (illustratedin FIGS. 2–4) in which the gripper jaws 146, 148 grip the clinging part142 and a release position (illustrated in FIG. 5) in which the gripperjaws 146, 148 release and retract from the clinging part 142. thegripper fingers 150, 151, 152, 153 have a relatively large surface areathat grips the clinging part 142. This large surface area, which facesthe clinging part 142, tends to generate a relatively largeelectrostatic clinging force between the clinging part 142 and thegripper fingers 150, 151, 152, 153.

The robotic tool 140 has an ejector 160 that includes a cling-resistantpart pusher 162 (shown best in FIGS. 4–5) that is movable in the centralspacings 154, 155 between a retracted position (illustrated in FIG. 4)in which the part pusher 162 is retracted, and an eject position(illustrated in FIG. 5) in which the part pusher 162 ejects the clingingpart 142.

Preferably, the ejector 160 is in a retracted position when the gripperjaws 146, 148 grip the clinging part 142 (as illustrated in FIG. 4), andthe ejector 160 is in an eject position when as the gripper jaws releaseand retract from the clinging part 142 (as illustrated in FIG. 5).

In a further preferred arrangement, the ejector 160 further comprises anejector actuator 164 mounted on the first gripper jaw 146. the ejectoractuator 164 is preferably a small air cylinder as illustrated. Theejector actuator 164 actuates the part pusher 162 to the retractedposition as illustrated in FIG. 4. The ejector 160 further comprises amass 166 coupled to the part pusher and providing a weight force 168moving the part pusher 160 to the eject position illustrated in FIG. 5.An arm 170 couples between the part pusher 162 and the mass 166. Themass 166 is slidably mounted to the first gripper jaw 146 and gravityholds the ejector 160 down when the actuator 165 is retracted. Theweight of the mass 166 is selected to provide enough force to overcomesliding friction and hold the recirculation filter 142 down withoutproviding an excessive force that would otherwise crush therecirculation filter 142. The gripper jaws 146,148 open to release theclinging part 142 and then the gripper jaws 146, 148 retract away fromthe clinging part 142. The weight force 168 applied by the part pusher162 holds the clinging part 142 down until the gripper jaws 146, 148 areclear of the clinging part 142.

In a further preferred arrangement, the first and second gripper jaws146, 148 are shaped to pick and place a recirculation filter 142 in adisc drive 144 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The gripper jaws 146, 148 havegripper fingers 150, 151, 152, 153 with large flat surfaces contactingthe recirculation filter 142 over a large contact area. The part pusher162, on the other hand, is shaped to reduce electrostatic attractionbetween part pusher 162 and the recirculation filter 142. The partpusher 162 is also shaped to reduce snagging fibers protruding from therecirculation filter 142. The part pusher 162 is shaped as a cylinderhaving a major axis 172 that is transverse to an upper edge 174 of therecirculation filter 142. The electrostatic capacitance andelectrostatic force between the part pusher 162 and the recirculationfilter is small because only a very small portion of the part pusherdirectly faces the recirculation filter upper edge 174.

If desired, the robotic tool 140 can also include a part check sensor176 mounted on the second gripper jaw 148 to sense presence of aclinging 142 part between the gripper fingers 150, 151, 152, 153. Thepart check sensor 176 can be coupled to a control system (notillustrated) that multidimensionally controls the motion of the robotictool 140. An SMC control system can be used for example.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a view of an alternative embodiment ofan ejector 190. The ejector 190 is similar to the ejector 160 describedabove in connection with FIGS. 4–5. The ejector 190 comprises a centralcling resistant part pusher 162, however, ejector 190 also comprisessecond and third cling resistant part pusher 192, 194. The second clingresistant part pusher 192 is movable adjacent a first outer side 200 ofthe gripper fingers. The third cling resistant part pusher 194 ismovable adjacent a second outer side 202 of the gripper fingers. Theejector 190 illustrated in FIG. 6 has the advantage of more precise andreliable horizontal leveling in placing a clinging part, particularlywhen the clinging part is not horizontally level when it is picked froma parts tray.

In summary, a robotic tool (140) picks and places a clinging part (142)in an assembly (144). Two gripper jaws (146, 148) each have gripperfingers (150, 151, 152, 153) spaced apart from each other by a centralspacing (154, 155). The gripper jaws (146) are movable between a gripposition (FIG. 4) and a release position (FIG. 5). The robotic tool(140) also has an ejector (160). The ejector (160) has a part pusher(162) that is cling resistant and movable in the central spacing (154)between a retracted position (FIG. 4), and an eject position (FIG. 5) inwhich the cling resistant part pusher (162) ejects the clinging part(142).

It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics andadvantages of various embodiments of the invention have been set forthin the foregoing description, together with details of the structure andfunction of various embodiments of the invention, this disclosure isillustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially inmatters of structure and arrangement of parts within the principles ofthe present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad generalmeaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. Forexample, the particular elements may vary depending on the particularclinging part and assembly for the robotic tool while maintainingsubstantially the same functionality without departing from the scopeand spirit of the present invention. For example, the pusher may take avariety of shapes and positions that have a reduced electrostaticattraction to the clinging part. In addition, although the preferredembodiment described herein is directed to a thin, flat recirculationfilter, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theshapes of the grippers and ejector can be adjusted depending on theshape and size of the clinging part. The teachings of the presentinvention can be applied to other assembly applications, like tapedrives, without departing from the scope and spirit of the presentinvention.

1. A robotic tool for picking and placing a clinging part, comprising:first and second gripper jaws, the first gripper jaw including gripperfingers spaced apart from one another by a first central spacing, andthe second gripper jaw including gripper fingers spaced apart from oneanother by a second central spacing; the gripper jaws being movablebetween a grip position in which the gripper jaws grip the clinging partand a release position in which the gripper jaws release and retractfrom the clinging part; and an ejector having a cling resistant partpusher movable in the first and second central spacings between aretracted position in which the part pusher is retracted and contactsthe clinging part, and an eject position in which the part pusher ejectsthe clinging part.
 2. The robotic tool of claim 1 wherein the ejector isin the retracted position when the gripper jaws grip the clinging part,and the ejector is in the eject position when as the gripper jawsrelease and retract from the clinging part.
 3. The robotic tool of claim1, wherein the ejector further comprises: an ejector actuator mounted onthe first gripper jaw and actuating the part pusher to the retractedposition.
 4. The robotic tool of claim 1, wherein the ejector furthercomprises: a mass coupled to the part pusher and providing a weightforce moving the part pusher to the eject position.
 5. The robotic toolof claim 4, wherein the ejector further comprises: an arm coupledbetween the part pusher and the mass.
 6. The robotic tool of claim 4wherein the mass is slidably mounted to the first gripper jaw.
 7. Therobotic tool of claim 1 wherein the first and second gripper jaws areshaped to pick and place a recirculation filter in a disc drive.
 8. Therobotic tool of claim 1 wherein the part pusher is shaped to reduceclinging due to electrostatic attraction between the part pusher and theclinging part.
 9. The robotic tool of claim 1 wherein the part pusher isshaped to reduce clinging due to snagging fibers protruding from theclinging part.
 10. The robotic tool of claim 7 wherein the part pusheris shaped as a cylinder having a major axis that is transverse to anupper edge of the recirculation filter.
 11. The robotic tool of claim 1further comprising a part check sensor mounted on the second gripper jawto sense presence of the clinging part between the gripper fingers. 12.The robotic tool of claim 1 wherein the ejector further comprises asecond cling resistant part pusher movable adjacent a first outer sideof the gripper fingers.
 13. The robotic tool of claim 12 wherein theejector further comprises a third cling resistant part pusher movableadjacent a second outer side of the gripper fingers.
 14. A robotic toolfor picking and placing a clinging part, comprising: first and secondgripper jaws, the first gripper jaw including gripper fingers spacedapart from one another by a first central spacing, and the secondgripper jaw including gripper fingers spaced apart from one another by asecond central spacing; the gripper jaws being movable between a gripposition in which the gripper jaws grip the clinging part and a releaseposition in which the gripper jaws release and retract from the clingingpart; and means for ejecting the clinging part from the first and secondgripper jaws, the means for ejecting being movable in the first andsecond central spacings wherein the means for ejecting has a retractedposition in which the means for ejecting contacts the clinging part.